The process of the ice pack cracking and absorbing heat from the environment is endothermic. This is because the reaction within the ice pack requires heat energy to occur, which it takes from the surroundings, causing the temperature of both the ice pack and the environment to decrease. In exothermic reactions, heat is released into the surroundings, but in this case, since the surroundings are getting colder, it indicates that energy is being absorbed. So, the ice pack effectively takes in heat, making it an endothermic reaction.
An ice pack is cracked, starting a reaction. The ice pack decreases in temperature as the reaction absorbs heat energy from the environment. The temperature of the surroundings decreases as heat is absorbed by the ice pack. Is this process exothermic or endothermic? Explain your reasoning in 3-5 sentences. Write like a student
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